Democratic States of Mercalia

Democratic States of Mercalia is a confederation of city-states bound by common culture and mutual defense, but for most of its history wasn’t truly a unified nation and the Mercalian cities were often at war with one another. It was until Dacari the Great that the city-states unified under his rule.

Culture
The Mercalians are a passionate people, always living to the fullest and never doing things half-way. Seen by outsiders as a drunken and riotous people, they have a well-earned reputation as fierce warriors and cunning tacticians. While they appreciated the fine arts and theatre, the culture of the Mercalia revolves around war and war heroes. This dedication to war suits the them well, for their nation has prospered through the conflicts between their rival cities. The title of War Hero is one of the greatest honors a person could earn, and usually any particular battle only have one person worthy of such a title.

Few nations in all Korinth are as erudite in philosophy, astronomy, poetry, and history as they are. Theatres and libraries are commonplace, and even in smaller cities such poetry and philosopy are practiced in public squares. They also love sports and their athletic competitions are popular events, particularly wrestling, and almost every citizen had some skill at fighting. Their sizable middle class controls the country’s economy, with a government that encourages prosperity for all, so tax revenues are high.

Despite such progressiveness, they practice slavery, and most of their slaves are half-elves, although this practice is less widespread than in the nations of Korinth, and a slave-owner can grant a slave freedom at any time. In the 1000s AS, they also developed a deep-seated mistrust of all things arcane, because of their enmity with The Mournlands.

Although all of them have these traits in common, each city also boasts its own customs and heroes, worship its own gladiatorial champions, and compete with the other cities with great zeal.

History
Mercalia was founded in 1182 BS as an autonomous province of the ancient empire of Kalimtyr. It is named after their first Grand Viceroy, Mercal Atrio. His first official proclamation was the cleansing of all indigenous species, notably the goblin peoples of the Mercalian Forest and the halflings along the Sneering River. Over the next several centuries, Toream the Tyrant sent the Mercalian phalanx in decisive campaigns against eastern kingdoms that is now under the Mournlands.

In 409 AS the city states of Mercalia, led by the war hero Tchazzar, drove the armies of Kalimtyr to the Bladed Mountains, freeing them from their rule. During his brief Mercalian Empire, the city of Makidona was the capital of Mercalia. In 452 AS, Tchazzar disappeared while fighting sahuagin and the people of Mercalia believed he had ascended to godhood. After Tchazzar's disappearance, the kingdom slowly broke apart into squabbling city states.

In the centuries after the Tchazzar's disappearance, the war hero Ishual Karanok rose to rule Mercalia. Under his guidance, it was unified as a single nation again. During the rule of the Karanok dynasty, the capital of Mercalia was the city of Iskander In 852 AS, his descendant, Shala Karanok, was the ruler of when Tchazzar was rescued from the Shalelands by the Brotherhood of the Spear, and became ruler of Mercalia once again.

Mercalia was finally able to conquer Hythia, making it a vassal state. However, Tchazzar slowly descended to madness and tried to destroy Iskander, and was eventually defeated by the Shala's loyalists, the Brotherhood of the Spear, and a group of knights from Lyria at the Battle of Iskander. After the battle, Shala was reinstated as the war hero.

Government
Ruled by their War Heroes, they embody the spirit of the nation and govern fairly among their people. They believe in democracy, elections are made throughout the years of who the next War Hero should be, usually someone who has shown their strength in battle. They do this for the sole reason of having a military leader due to their proximity to the Mournlands. Their laws vary from city to city, but they typically revolve around not disturbing the peace.

Military
Their military might is their prized possession. They fight among their own cities to prove they are stronger than the rest, and strengthen themselves through their combat. They believe it is their right to defend the continent from the Shadow the creeps inside the Mournlands. Their utilize hopilites and archers, creating phalanxes that become unbreakable walls of shields. Their War Heroes lead the battlefield, inspiring their soldiers and gifting them boons. Most notably, the Crescent Phalanx of Iskander is the largest and most successful out of all of them.

Trade
While established in a fertile valley, they have been able grow a very large and successful olive grove that expands for miles on end. They use these to create oil which is a highly valuable commodity. Their art and their theatres are often sought after across all of Korinth, they happily trade off their pieces to others so they can be appreciated. Grapes and wine can be found here in droves, but not as well loved as the wine from the Kingdom of Lyria.

They happily trade with all that wish for it across land, but do not dare to travel by sea in the Bay of Bahari. It is currently being held by the Mourning Lord and they do not wish to provoke his ire.

Geography
The land is rocky but fertile in the valley. It is warm with a gentle southern breeze cooling down the hotter areas. The lakes and rivers keep the land full of life and the forest provide plenty of animals to hunt and tame.

Notable Locations
Capital City


 * Iskander

Cities


 * Hythia
 * Makidona

Forts


 * Shield of Mercalia
 * Sword of Mercalia
 * Iska Tower

Landmarks


 * Mercalian Forest
 * Mount Vala
 * Fetid Swamp